Amusement device



Jan. 3,1939. A. BISCH 2,142,169

AMUSEMENT DEVICE Original Filed July 21, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 19 v ig-la9 il ll" 15 QQZU z'n Bzlsch.

Jan. 3, 1939. A. BISCH AMUSEMENT DEVICE Original Filed July 21, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 3, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AMUSEMENT DEVICE Alvin Bisch, Chicago, 111., assignor to Bisch-Rocco Amusement 00., a corporation of Illinois Application July 21, 1934, Serial No. 736,314 Renewed March 28, 1938 .16 Claims.

The present invention is related generally to amusement devices, but more particularly to one The primary object of the present invention is.

to provide novel and improved type of an amusement device in which a new ride or thrill is experienced by the operator thereof by travelling over a constantly changing path under the control of the operator in each individual conveyance I Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved amusement device in the form of a flying cab in which" a rudder and a stabilizer occupy planes having areas substantially equal to or larger than the area of a longitudinal cross section of the cab renders the same very effective to change'th'e position of the cab upon the manipulation of the rudder.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved amusement device in the form of. a cab which is suspended from a cable attached to an overhead hanging and revolving structure and in which the path traveled by the revolving cabv may deviate from its normal path by the control within the hands of the operator.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved amusement device of the revolving anchored type in which a swivel formsthe connection between the cab and a suspended cable; the cab being provided with a relatively large stabilizer and a relatively large rudder so that upon the proper manipulation of the rudder the cab may be revolved around the axis of the swivel at the time the cab is travelling in a circular path.

A'still further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved construction of an amusement device in which a cab is suspended from a single cable attached to an overhanging revolving structure, with the cab proper provided with a stabilizing device and a movable rudder. The stabilizing device maintains the cab so that the forward end thereof remains gen: erally in the direction of travel while the rudder permits the cab to deviate from the normal path so that the cab may follow in an irregular course by manipulating the controls of the rudder.

Another object of the invention is to provide a captive flying cab in which the flight varying means are in the form of a relatively large stabilizer and a large pivoted rudder. The stablli'zer and rudder automaticallybecome a sustainingplane and an elevator respectively when the supporting cable and cab assume an elevation substantially horizontal with respect to the revolving structure.

These and other objects are accomplished by providing a construction and arrangement of the various parts in the manner hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a conventional form of rotating structure showing my improved amusement device in connection therewith:

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the device shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view showing the general construction of my improved riding cab;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the same;

Fig. 5 is a rear elevational view of the device shown in Figs. 3 and 4;

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 6-6 in Fig. 3; g

Fig. 7 is a detailed cross sectional view taken on the line 1---'! in Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is a. cross sectional View taken on the line 8-8 in Fig. 3; and

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a modified form of my invention.

The invention in this instance is directed to w an amusement device which is primarily intended to provide a new ride and a new thrill for amusement centers and at the same time to permit the operators thereof to manipulate the controls so that the cab may deviate from its normal course so that the same will travel over an irregular or up and down path within certain limits.

'In illustrating one. embodiment of my invention, I have shown the same in connection with more or less a conventional type of 'overhead structure, but it will of course, be understood that. various other types of revolving structures maybe used in connection with my invention. For example, my amusement device may be used in connection with a revolving structure disclosed in my prior Patent No. 1,791,655 issued on the 10th day of February, 1931, but for the purpose of 'making a complete disclosure of my ing base l2 supported on a plurality of rollers ll. Secured to the revolving base i2 is a revolving tower ll of any well known construction. Extending from the revolving tower It and upwardly with respect thereto, are a plurality of beams ii of which there may be any number depending on the size and diameter of the type of device constructed. Supporting these beams are individually and angularly disposed brace members II which extend from the lower end of the tower to the outer ends of each of the upwardly extending beams ii. The revolving tower in this instance is driven by an electric motor, generally indicated by the reference character H, which in turn, operatively drives a transmission mechanism, generally indicated bythe reference character I. for supplying the motor power for revolving the rotary structure. Suspended from each of the beams IS on suitable swivels, as shown at I, are cables 20. Connected to the free ends of the cables by means of swivel brackets 2| are cabs, generally indicated by the reference character 22. These cabs 22 are provided with substantially oval shaped bodies 22 with the forward portion thereof, as shown at 24, more pointed than the rear portion thereof as shown at 25'. Secured to the front portion and extending vertically on the longitudinal center thereof is a stabilizer 25. The forward portion of the stabilizer is relatively thin and gradually enlarges in thickness towards the cab proper. This stabilizer extends from the bottom of the cab to a point above the same. Pivotally secured to the rear end of the cab on vertically spaced apart brackets 26 and 21 is a relatively large and vertically extending rudder 2|. This rudder 28 is hinged to the end brackets 28 and 21 by somewhat similar brackets 20 and 20 secured to the rudder. Formed integrally with or secured to' the lower hinge bracket 30 are oppositely projecting offset arms II, the outer ends of which are connected by means of cables or rods 32 to two downwardly extending arms 33 secured to or formed integrally with a horizontal lever 34. The lever 34 is pivoted as shown at 35 in the longitudinal center of the cab and is provided with, on the opposite ends thereof, foot rest or peddles 26. The arms 33 extend through arcuate slots 31 in the floor of the cab. The rudder 38 is normally held in longitudinal center line of the cab by extension springs 30 which have their rearward ends connected to the opposite arms 3| and their forward ends secured to brackets 29 attached to the underside of the bottom or floor of the cab proper. The cab proper is provided on the opposite sides thereofwith relatively high side walls 40. The cab is sufiiciently large so as to accommodate two persons, as shown at ll and 42, arranged one in front of the other in the manner clearly disclosed in Fig. 3 of the drawings. I

In the modified form of my invention shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings, I have provided the outwardly extending beams 15 with transverse members 43, to the outer end of which are attached two downwardly converging cables 44. The lower ends of thecables 44 are connected to the forward and rearward portions of the cab respectively. This arrangement obviously dispenses with the use of the stabilizer and keeps the forward end of the cab foremost. The cab 22 and rudder 28 in the modified form are substantially the same as in the other figures.

The operation of my improved amusement device is as follows:

From the above description it will be readily seen that when the revolving cab is rotated at the rudder 28 to the right or left and obviously deflect the cab further outwardly or in a direction towards the rotating structure. Obviously by the continuous manipulation of the foot levers first one way and then the other, the cab will travelover an ever-changing path so as'to give the riders therein an up and down or irregular path and the variation of the path and the numbers of ups and downs dependant upon the manipulation of the rudder .by the operator. In

this connection it will be observed that by reason of the large stationary stabilizer and relatively 'large pivoted rudder as well as the shape of the cab proper, the cab will travel with forward ends of the cab foremost and will deviate from the normal smooth path only to the extent of the manipulation of the controls by the operator.

In addition to manipulating the rudder to cause the cab to travel over an irregular course,

it will be noted that when the rudder is operated to elevate the cab to a maximum elevated position during its revolving motion and the rudder direction, the cab will revolve about the swivel 2i after it descends to its lower position, giving an added thrill to the occupants in the cab.

When the flying cab is rotated by the revolving structure to a position in which the suspended cable and cab proper assumes a horizontal position on its side or nearly so, the stationary stabilizer then performs the function of a sustaining plane and the pivoted rudder then performs the function of an elevator for increasing ordecreasing the altitude of the cab above or below the point of attachment of the cable with the revolving structure. In other words, the relatively large areas of the stabilizer and rudder permit the operator to manipulate the controls so that the cab may raise a considerable distance above its point of attachment with the revolving structure. I

While in the above specification I have described one embodiment which my invention may assume in practice, it will of course be understood that the same is capable of modification and that modification may be made without departing from the'spirit end scope of the invention as expressed in the following claims.

' What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An amusement device comprising a.revolving structure, a passenger cab suspended by a cable from said structure, fiight varying means on said cab comprising a stabilizer'and a rudder,

' said stabilizer being fixedly mounted on one end of and directly to said cab, said rudder being pivoted on the other end of and direct to said cab, the major portion of said stabilizer and rudder extending above the passengers in said cab and adapted to function respectively as a sustaining plane and an elevator when said cab and cable'are horizontally suspended from said revolving structure.

2. An amusement device comprising a revolving structure, a passenger cab suspended by cable from said structure, flight varying means is immediately reversed or turned in the opposite I on said cab of substantially greater over-all area. than the size of said cab, the major portion of said flight varying means projecting above the passengers in said cab, said flight varying means comprising a stationary stabilizer secured directly to said cab and a rudder pivoted directly to said cab, and means for controlling the midder from said cab.

' 3. An amusement device comprising a revolving structure, a wingless passenger cab suspended by a cable from said structure, flight varying means on said cab of substantially greater over-all area than the size of said cab, said flight varying means comprising, a stabilizer secured to one end of and extending therefrom to a point above the passengers in said cab; a rudder pivoted to the other end of and extending from said cab to a point .above the passengers in said cab, and means for controlling the rudder from sai cab.

4. An amusement device comprising a revolving structure, a passenger cab suspended by a cable from solid structure, flight varying means on said cab of substantially greater over-all area than the size ,of' said cab, saidflight varying means comprising a stabilizer rigidly secured to ,the end of said cab and extending therefrom to 'a point above the passengers in said cab, a rudder, pivoted to the other endof and extending from said cab to a point above the passengers in said cab, and means for controlling saidrudder from said cab.

5. An amusement-device comprising a revolving'structure, a. passenger cab suspended by a cable from said structure, and flight varying ,means' carried by and normally occupying asingle plane perpendicular to the horizontal plane of said cab, said flight varying means comprising a movable plane and a-flxed plane, the major areas of said planesextending above said cab, said-planes adapted to sustain the flight of a said cab at an elevation approximately above said revolving structure. 6. An amusement device comprising a revolv-l ing structure, a passenger cab carried by said structure, means for connecting said cab to said revolving structure for free movement with respect thereto, and flight varying means carried by and normally occupying a single plane prpendic'ular tothe horizontal plane of said cab, said flight varying means comprising amovable' plane and a flxed plane, the major areas of said planes extend w above said cab, said planes adapted to sustain the flight of said cab at an elevation approximately above saidrevolving structure. 7. An amusement device comprising a revolving structure, a passenger cab carried 'by said 8. The combination with a suspended element from a revolving structure. a cab connected to ing structure, a passenger ,cab carried by said stabilizer and rudder mounted on said cab,

- secured to one end of said cab, and a rudder normally occupying a vertical plane in substanr structure, means for connecting said cab to said td'said revolving structure.

the free endof said element, a vertically extending relatively thin stabilizer secured to one end of said cab, a vertically extending rudder pivoted to the other end of said cab, said stabilizer and rudder located in relatively close proximity 5 with respect to each other, and, means for operating said rudder from said cab for guiding said cab over an irregular path.

9. An amusement device comprising a revolvstructure, means, for. suspendingly connecting 10 said cab for free movement with respect to said revolving structure, and vertically disposed flight varying means including relatively large area' whereby saidflight varying means is adapted to 15 sustain the flight of said cab at an elevation approximately above said revolving structure.

10. The combination with a revolving structure, of a cab suspended therefrom, a stabilizer pivoted to the other end of said cab having one of its ends extending above said cab.

11. A captive scooter comprising a cab having a' seat therein for an operator, a relatively large stabilizer-secured to the front end of said cab in a vertical longitudinal center thereof, a major portion 0 said stabilizer extending above I said cab, and vertical rudder pivoted on the vertical axis at the rearward end of said cab, a

'major portion of-saidrudder extending above said cab. 12. An amusement device comprising a revolving structure,a passenger cab carried by said structure, means for connecting said cab to said revolving structure for free movement with respectthereto, vertically disposed flight varying. means, carried by said cab, said flight varying means including at least one rudder pivoted to said cab and having the major .area thereof ex- 40 tending above said cab. r 13. An amusement device comprising a revolving structure, a. passenger cab suspended from said structure'for free movement with respect thereto, and flight varying means carriedb'y said cab and normally occupying a vertical plane in substantially the longitudinal center 'of said cab, said flight varying m ansincluding at least one rudder pivoted to one end of said cab and having the major area thereof extending above said cab. 14. The combination with a revolving struc-' ture, of a passenger cab suspended therefrom, and flight'varying means carried by said cab and,

tially the longitudinalcenter of said cab including at least one rudder pivoted to said cab, said rudder having the major area thereof extending above said cab.

15. The combination witli a revolving structure, of a cab suspended therefroni,-.. and flight varying means including a vertical stabilizer and a rudder pivoted to said cab for guiding thepath traversed by said cab and for performing the function of an elevator when said cab' assumes substantially ahorizontal position with respect;

16. The combination with a revolving structure, of a cab suspended therefrom, a stabilizer securedto one end of said cab, and a rudder pivoted to the other end ofsaid cab having one of its ends extending over said cab. r 

